Can Iran’s new supreme leader make peace from behind the scenes?

Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has governed without appearing or speaking publicly since succeeding his father in March. A series of four meetings with senior political, security and military figures announced over 11 days in October suggests his leadership may be moving beyond establishing his authority towards coordinated decision-making, as Tehran weighs negotiations or renewed confrontation with the United States and Israel.

The meetings followed changes to military and security leadership after commanders were killed in the February 28 strike that also injured Khamenei and killed his father. They took place alongside mediation efforts: Pakistan’s army chief brought a proposal involving inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities in exchange for interest on frozen Iranian funds in Qatar, and later returned with senior Saudi and Turkish officials. The consultations have prompted comparisons with discussions before the 2015 nuclear agreement, though it remains unclear whether the new system can make a similarly consequential decision.